The Sobey Art Award is one of this country's most prestigious awards for contemporary Canadian art, an annual prize given to an artist age 40 and under, who has exhibited in a public or commercial art gallery within 18 months of being nominated... and this year's winner has been crowned. It is Jeremy Shaw, representing the West Coast and Yukon region.

By Dorota Kozinska

This year's finalists included Quebec artist Hajra Waheed, William Robinson from the Atlantic coast, Charles Stankievech of Ontario, and Brenda Draney representing the Prairies and Northern Canada. The award was handed to Shaw by last year's winner, Abbas Akhavan.

A total of $100,000 in prize money is awarded; $50,000 to the winner; $10,000 to the other four finalists; and $500 to each of the remaining long-listed artists.

Rob Sobey, Chair of Sobey Art Foundation, was effusive when describing Shaw's art. "We are humbled by the excellence of his work," he said, before mentioning the four other finalists and the "caliber of contemporary Canadian art" they represent.
The Sobey Art AwardThe National Gallery of CanadaJeremy Shaw wins the 2016 Sobey Art AwardPhoto: National Gallery of Canada
Jeremy ShawQuickeners, 2014
HD video installation with original soundtrack
dimensions variable, 36:43 minutes
Film still
Jeremy ShawVariation FQ, 2013
16mm film with original soundtrack,
Dimensions variable, 11:02 minutes
Film still

Shaw, who is based in Berlin, reaches for a variety of reference tools in his work; there is a strong conceptual aspect to his production, and the spectrum is wide, from mysticism to science.

Combining new media with transcendental thought, he has created a unique, contemporary visual landscape that resonates with both the public and critics.

The work of all the five short-listed artists is showcased in a traditional exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada, until February 5, 2017.